Dispenser with spring-urged, automatic-stop pressure plate

ABSTRACT

A device for dispensing napkins or the like. The napkins are received in an elongated chamber, preferably upright, and are mounted on a movable pressure plate in the chamber. Means are provided for guiding movement of this plate in the chamber in forward and reverse directions, as up and down. Springs are provided to normally bias the plate in an upward direction. Elongated catch bars are provided in the chamber and have a plurality of catches thereon. The elongated catch bars are movable between a first position at which the catches are operative and a second position at which the catches are inoperative. Members are provided on the plate to engage at least one of the catches when the elongated bars are in the operative position to thereby prevent forward or upward movement of the plate. Means are provided on a dispenser cover for moving the elongated bar to the operative position when the cover is open and to the inoperative position when the cover is closed.

United States Patent [191 Fleming 1 DISPENSER WITH SPRING-URGED,

AUTOMATIC-STOP PRESSURE PLATE [75] Inventor: Larry J. Fleming, West DePere,

Wis.

[73] Assignee: Fort Howard Paper Company,

Green Bay, Wis.

[22] Filed: Mar. 18, 1971 [211 Appl. No.: 125,517

[52] US. Cl 221/57, 221/227, 312/61 [51] Int. Cl B65h 1/24 [58} Field ofSearch 221/57, 227; 312/61, 312/71 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,505,688 8/1924 Arelt 221/57 Primary Examiner-Robert B. ReevesAssistant ExaminerThomas E. Kocovsky Attorney-Molinare, Allegretti,Newitt & Witcoff Dec. 11, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A device for dispensingnapkins or the like. The napkins are received in an elongated chamber,preferably upright, and are mounted on a movable pressure plate in thechamber. Means are provided for guiding movement of this plate in thechamber in forward and reverse directions, as up and down. Springs areprovided to normally bias the plate in an upward direction. Elongatedcatch bars are provided in the chamber and have a plurality of catchesthereon. The elongated catch bars are movable between a first positionat which the catches are operative and a second position at which thecatches are inoperative. Members are provided on the plate to engage atleast one of the catches when the elongated bars are in the operativeposition to thereby prevent forward or upward movement of the plate.Means are provided on a dispenser cover for moving the elongated bar tothe operative position when the cover is open and to the inoperativeposition when the cover is closed.

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sum 2 or 2 p I D//// DISPENSER WITH SPRING-URGED, AUTOMATIC-STOPPRESSURE PLATE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention andDescription of the Prior Art Dispensers for paper napkins are well knownand are in extensive use in restaurants, cafeterias, carry-outestablishments, food service establishments, and the like. Althoughthese napkin dispensers generally operate quite well, the knowndispensers generally have a relatively small storage capacity. Forexample, in carry-out establishments, several of these dispensers mustbe lo cated at the counter where the food is dispensed and, due to thesmall capacity of these dispensers, they must be constantly refilled sothat a sufficient quanity is available for the customers.

Similar problems are encountered wherever a large number of disposablenapkins are used because of large customer turn-over. Also, in largefast food operations, counter space and table space are valuable and itis considered undesirable to locate a large number of napkin dispensersat the valuable useful space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an important object of thisinvention to provide a dispenser for disposable napkins or like whereinthe dispenser has a particularly large storage capacity.

It is also an important object of this invention to provide an improvednapkin dispenser, having an exceptionally large storage capacity, whichis readily filled.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved napkindispenser of large storage capacity which is readily transportable orwhich can be placed in a recess as part of a food service counter.

It is is still a further object of this invention to provide adisposable paper napkin dispenser which dispenses napkins preferablyfrom an elongated upright chamber, of any desired height for storing thedesired number of anpkins.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a paper napkindispenser having a pressure plate for normally biasing the napkins tothe dispensing position through a face plate or cover wherein the upwardbiasing or movement of the napkins is stopped when the face plate ismoved to the open position so that the dispenser can be readily filledwithout the napkins being forced from the open dispenser.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved napkindispenser which is particularly characterized by its simplicity andeconomy of construction and effectiveness in use.

Further objects and purposes of this invention will appear as thespecification proceeds.

All of the foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a napkindispensing device wherein the device comprises an elongated chamberwhich is enclosed by walls, a plate mounted in the chamber for receivingthe napkins, guides for the plate in the chamber for guiding movement ofthe plate in both forward and reverse directions, biasing means fornormally biasing the plate in a forward direction, elongated barsmounted on the interior walls of the chamber with a plurality of catchesthereon, the elongated bars being movable between a first position atwhich the catches are operative and a second position at which thecatches are inoperative, means on the plate for engaging at least one ofthe catches on the elongated bars while in the operative position forstopping forward dispensing movement of the plate, and means forselectively moving the elongated upright catch bars between theoperative and inoperative positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One particular embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through one embodiment of myimproved napkin dispenser while the cover or face plate thereof isclosed;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, except the cover of thedispenser is shown in the open position;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 showing the internalplan of my napkin dispenser;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG.3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to thedrawings, my napkin dispenser, generally 10, is shown in the preferred,upright position. Although the following description, for purposes ofsimplicity, describes only this preferred embodiment, it is to beunderstood that the dispenser 10 may be mounted in other positions, suchas horizontally, or angularly.

The dispenser 10 includes an upright elongated chamber 12 which isdefined by a front wall 14, a rear wall 16, and a pair of opposed sidewalls 18 interconnecting the front wall 14 and rear wall 16. A bottom 20interconnects the walls 14, 16 and 18. The walls l4, l6, and 18 are alladvantageously constructed of sheet steel, and formed into the desiredshape.

A base 22, preferably weighted, is mounted on the bottom 20 of thechamber 12. The weighted base 22 provides for stability and yet thedispenser 10 is easily moved from one location to another, as desired.The dispenser 10 is preferably mounted in an upright or verticalposition so that an exceptionally large amount of disposable papernapkins may be received within the chamber 12 without taking upexcessive counter or table space. The height of the dispenser 10 dependsprimarily upon the number of napkins which are to be stored therein. Thehorizontal cross-sectional area of the chamber 12 is dependent upon thesize of the napkins which are to be dispensed from and stored within thedispenser 10. The term napkin, as used herein, is meant to include anytype of fibrous product, such as paper, which is normally and commonlyused for general cleaning and is meant to include disposable papertoweling and industrial wipers.

A pressure plate member, generally 24, is mounted in the chamber 12 formovement in up and down directions in the elongated chamber 12. Thepressure plate 24 includes an upper plate 26 which receives the napkins.The napkin receiving plate 26, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has asinuous vertical, transverse crosssection and is formed from sheet steelor the like. The pressure plate member 24 includes a cross-support 28 towhich the upper plate 26 is rigidly secured, as by means of rivets 30.As best shown in FIG. 3, the crosssupport 28 extends slightly beyond thelateral edges of the upper plate 26, but is substantially less in widththan the upper plate 26. The lateral end portions of the cross-support28 have upright guide members 32 mounted thereto. The guide members 32comprise outwardly facing channel like members which extend parallel tothe elongated and upright axis of the dispenser l0.

Upright guide bars 34 are rigidly secured to the central portion of theinner surfaces of the opposite side walls 18 of the chamber 12. Theguide bars 34 extend for substantially the entire height of the sidewalls 18. The guide bars 34 are secured to the side walls 18 by rivetsor other suitable securing members. The guide bars 34 define trackmembers which slidably receive and engage the channel like guide members32 of the pressure plate member 24 so as to slidably guide the pressureplate member 24 for reciprocal movement within the chamber 12.

To provide additional guidance for reciprocal movement of the pressureplate member 24 within the dispenser chamber 12, secondary elongatedguides 36 are mounted forward of the guide bars 34, and as best shown inFIG. 3, engage the opposite forward corners of the cross support 28 ofthe pressure plate member 24 so as to prevent tipping thereof as napkinsare loaded in the chamber 12 and as they are dispensed therefrom. Thesecondary guides 36 are rigidly mounted to the opposite inner faces ofthe side walls 18, as by means of rivets or the like.

Spring supports'38 are rigidly mounted to the front and rear edges ofcross support 28 of the'pressure plate 24. Two of the spring supports 38project forwardly of the cross support while one spring support 38,centrally mounted on the rear edge of the cross support 28, extendsrearwardly therefrom. The spring supports 38 respectively receive, incoiled form, the coiled spring steel members 40. Each coil spring 40 iscoiled, at one end, on a mounting member 42 of the support 38, and theopposite end thereof is rigidly secured, as by rivets, to the front wall14 or to the rear wall 16 of the chamber 12. The coil springs 40,normally bias the pressure plate member 24 and any napkins carriedthereon towards the open upper end of the chamber 12, that is, in anupward direction.

A pair of upright elongated and movable catch bars 44 are mounted on theinterior faces of the opposite side walls 18 of the chamber 12. Thecatch bars 44 are each slidably mounted intermediate the guide bars 34and the rear wall 16. The catch bars 16 each include angular slots 46 atthe upper and lower ends thereof, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Theslots 46 extend approximately at a 45angle upwardly and forwardly. Theslots 46 engage rigid guide pins 48 which are each fixedly secured tothe inner surfaces of the side walls 18 of the chamber 12.Interengagement between the slots 46 and the pins 48 permit slidablemovement along the inner side wall faces of the catch bars 44 between adownward and rearward position, as shown in FIG. 1, and an upward andforward position, as best shown in FIG. 2. Each of the catch bars 44includes a plurality of forwardly projecting equally spaced projectionsor catches 50 having a slanted upper edge and a horizontal lower ende.In the upward and forward positon of FIG. 2, the lower edge of the catch50 of each of the catch bars 44 is constructed and arranged to engageone of the two pins 52 mounted on the opposite sides of thecross-support 28 of the pressure plate 24; One pin 52 is provided foreach of the catch bars 44. Upon engagement of the pins 52 with oppositecatches 50 on each catch bar 44, the normal upward biasing movement ofthe pressure plate 24 caused by the coiled springs 40 is prevented andthe pressure plate 24 is thereby maintained in a fixed position, untilthe plate 24 is pushed downwardly and the pins 52 engage the slantedupper edges of the catches, pushing the bars.44 rearwardly. This upwardand downward movement permits easy loading of the dispenser.

Each movable catch bar 44 is normally biased to the upward and forwardposition by a compression spring 54 mounted between the lower end ofeach of the catch bars 44 and the bottom 20 of the chamber 12. A rigidelongated guide member 56 is also provided for each of the catch bars44. A guide plate 56 is rigidly mounted on the inner surface of eachside wall 18 of the chamber 12. As best shown in FIG. 3, the guidemember 56 projects forwardly and is spaced laterally outwardly of therespective side wall 18 so that each catch bar 44 is freely slidable butyet is guided between the guide plate 56 and the side wall 18.

Referring to FIG. 5, the upper faces of the guide plates 56 includegripping portions or friction tabs 58 which are adapted to engagenapkins (not shown) from their rear portions prior to dispensing fromthe dispenser 10. The gripper portions 58 facilitate dispensing ofnapkins from the dispenser device 10 and aid in relieving the pressureof napkins (not shown) against the face plate or cover 60.

The face plate, generally 60, is provided for enclosing the open upperend of the dispenser chamber 12, and serves a dual function. First, theface plate 60 serves the function of closing the open top of the chamber12, and of permitting dispensing of napkins one at a time through theslotted opening 62, provided therein. The second important functionaccomplished by the face plate 60 is that it operates the catch bar 44for moving it between the operative and non-operative positions.

The face plate 60 includes side walls 64 which generally conform to theupper edges of the walls 14, 16, and 18 of the dispenser 10. Thelongitudinal opening 62 is defined in the central. portion of the top 66of the face plate 60. An L-shaped hinge member 68 is mounted to theinterior surfaces of the opposite side walls 64 of the face plate orcover 60. Each hinge member 68 is pivotally connected to a fixed hingeelement 70 which is mounted on the upper inner face of the rear wall 16of the dispenser 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 60 is hingedlymovable between the closed position of FIG. 1 and the open position ofFIG; 2. The hinge elements 68 engage the upper ends of each of the catchbars 44 to move them downwardly against the bias of the springs 54. Inthis position, the catch bar 44 and catches 50 thereon are inoperativebecause they move out of the path of travel of the catch pins 52 on thecross support 28 of moving the pressure plate 24. When the cover 60 isopened, the hinge elements 68 move away from the upper ends of each ofthe catch bars 44 and the spring elements 54 raise each of the catchbars 44 upwardly and forwardly and into the operating position where thecatch pins 52 on the pressure plate 24 engage the lower edges of thecatches 50, thereby stopping the pressure plate in its upwardly biasedmovement.

Although it is believed that the manner of using the dispenser isapparent from the foregoing description, a brief description of theoperation and use of the dispenser 10 will be provided for even a morefull understanding of the applicants invention.

When it is desired to load the dispenser 10 with napkins, of theappropriate size, the cover 10 is pivoted to the open position as shownin H6. 2. The napkins are loaded in the chamber on the pressure plate24. As napkins are loaded therein, the loading takes place against thebias of the coil springs 40 and the loader forces the pressure platedownwardly, the pins also moving the bars 44 rearwardly upon engagementwith the slanted upper edges of the catches 50. During this downwardmovement, the most that the pressure plate 24 can move upwardly is thedistance between adjacent catches 50 on the catch bars 44. Thus, thenapkins loaded therein will not be undesirably moved out of thedispenser from the bias of the springs 40.

When the desired number of napkins have been loaded into the device, thecover 60 is closed and the L-shaped hinge elements 68 force the catchbars 44 downwardly and rearwardly to the inoperative position, therebyreleasing the pressure plate 24 because the catch pins 52 thereon nolonger engage the catches 50 on the catch bar 44. With the cover 60 inthe closed position, the coil springs 40 constantly bias the pressureplate 24 and thereby move the napkins upwardly to the position fordispensing through the opening 62 in the dispenser cover 60. Thisbiasing of the pressure plate 24 continues until all of the napkins havebeen dispensed or until it is desired that more napkins be loaded whenthe operator pivots the cover 60 back to the open position forreloading, which allows the catch pins 52 of the pressure plate 24 onceagain to engage the catches 50 of the catch bars 44 to stop the pressureplate from moving upwardly.

While in the foregoing there has been provided a detailed description ofa particular embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understoodthat all equivalents obvious to those having skill in the art are to beincluded within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A device fordispensing napkins or the like, said device comprising, in combination,an elongated chamber enclosed by side walls and having an open end, acover movably mounted on one of said walls and movable between an openposition for exposing the interior of said chamber and a closed positionfor closing the open end of said chamber, said cover having an openingtherein, a plate member transversly mounted in said chamber forreceiving said napkins, means for movably guiding said plate member insaid chamber in both forward and reverse directions, means for normallyand constantly biasing said plate member in a forward direction towardsaid opening in said cover for the dispensing of said napkins throughsaid opening in said cover only when said cover is in the closedposition, and elongated member movably carried on at least one of saidwalls and having a plurality of catches thereon, said elongated memberbeing mounted longitudinally of said chamber and being movable between afirst position at which said catches are operative and a second positionat which said catches are inoperative, means on said plate member forengaging said catches only when said elongated member is in theoperative position for relieving the pressure created by said biasingmeans on said plate member and thereby substantially preventingsignificant forward movement of said plate only when said cover is inthe open position. said engaged catch permitting reverse movement ofsaid plate member in response to external force for permitting theloading of said chamber with said napkins, and cooperating means on saidelongated member and on said cover for selectively moving said elongatedmember to the operative position only when said cover is in the openposition and the inoperative position only when said cover is in theclosed position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said chamber is in an upright position,and said forward and reverse directions are up and down.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said guiding means comprises a pair ofopposed upright track members fixedly secured to opposite walls of saidchamber, and means rigidly mounted on said receiving member for engagingsaid tracks for movably guiding said plate in said chamber.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprise springmembers rigidly fixed at one of their ends to the walls of said chamberand at their opposite ends to said plate member for thereby normallybiasing said plate in an upward direction.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said spring means comprise coiledspring steel members.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said elongated members comprise a pairof upright bars within said chamber on opposite walls thereof, saidelongated bars having angular slots therein, means mounted on said wallsfor engaging said slots, said last mentioned means and said slotsguiding movement of said bars between the operative and inoperativepositions.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein spring means are provided for normallybiasing said bars to the operative position.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said cover is hingedly mounted to oneof said walls at the upper portion of said chamber, said cooperatingmeans includes hinge members on said cover for engaging said elongatedmember.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said hinge member moves said elongatedmember to the operative position when said cover is in the openposition, and moves said elongated member to the inoperative positionwhen said cover is closed.

1. A device for dispensing napkins or the like, said device comprising,in combination, an elongated chamber enclosed by side walls and havingan open end, a cover movably mounted on one of said walls and movablebetween an open position for exposing the interior of said chamber and aclosed position for closing the open end of said chamber, said coverhaving an opening therein, a plate member transversly mounted in saidchamber for receiving said napkins, means for movably guiding said platemember in said chamber in both forward and reverse directions, means fornormally and constantly biasing said plate member in a forward directiontoward said opening in said cover for the dispensing of said napkinsthrough said opening in said cover only when said cover is in the closedposition, and elongated member movably carried on at least one of saidwalls and having a plurality of catches thereon, said elongated memberbeing mounted longitudinally of said chamber and being movable between afirst position at which said catches are operative and a second positionat which said catches are inoperative, means on said plate member forengaging said catches only when said elongated member is in theoperative position for relieving the pressure created by said biasingmeans on said plate member and thereby substantially preventingsignificant forward movement of said plate only when said cover is inthe open position, said engaged catch permitting reverse movement ofsaid plate member in response to external force for permitting theloading of said chamber with said napkins, and cooperating means on saidelongated member and on said cover for selectively moving said elongatedmember to the operative position only when said cover is in the openposition and the inoperative position only when said cover is in theclosed position.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said chamber is in anupright position, and said forward and reverse directions are up anddown.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said guiding means comprises apair of opposed upright track members fixedly secured to opposite wallsof said chamber, and means rigidly mounted on said receiving member forengaging said tracks for movably guiding said plate in said chamber. 4.The device of claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprise spring membersrigidly fixed at one of their ends to the walls of said chamber and attheir opposite ends to said plate member for thereby normally biasingsaid plate in an upward direction.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein saidspring means comprise coiled spring steel members.
 6. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said elongated members comprise a pair of upright barswithin said chamber on opposite walls thereof, said elongated barshaving angular slots therein, means mounted on said walls for engagingsaiD slots, said last mentioned means and said slots guiding movement ofsaid bars between the operative and inoperative positions.
 7. The deviceof claim 6 wherein spring means are provided for normally biasing saidbars to the operative position.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein saidcover is hingedly mounted to one of said walls at the upper portion ofsaid chamber, said cooperating means includes hinge members on saidcover for engaging said elongated member.
 9. The device of claim 8wherein said hinge member moves said elongated member to the operativeposition when said cover is in the open position, and moves saidelongated member to the inoperative position when said cover is closed.